Make Putin unwelcome, Russian opposition urges

MOSCOW - Newly freed opposition leaders called on the United States and Europe on Monday to confront Russia's top officials - even Prime Minister Vladimir Putin - over recent repression by denying them visas and freezing their assets

"The list should start with Putin of course," said Boris Nemtsov, a deputy prime minister in the Yeltsin era who was arrested Dec. 31 while leaving a legal demonstration, "because he is the person who trampled upon and tore up the Russian Constitution."

Nemtsov, a liberal democrat, was freed from jail Saturday. Four others also were arrested, including leaders of extremist and leftist worker-oriented movements who were heading toward a nearby but unapproved demonstration.

Nemtsov said a judge in the case had refused to hear defense witnesses and relied on false police testimony. He said Putin was silencing dissent and dictating courtroom decisions, and he urged the West to target officials but avoid sanctions that would hurt Russia.

"Sanctions against Russia, such as Jackson-Vanik, should be avoided," Nemstov said, "but new sanctions against individuals should be applied."

Jackson-Vanik was a Cold War trade sanction enacted by the U.S. Congress to punish the Soviet Union for preventing the emigration of Jews.